New York Mets & the long history of Baseball in NYC

Over the weekend the New York Mets clinched their first playoff appearance since 2006.  Of course Mets players and coaches were excited, but so too are their long suffering fans.  While on the road this past weekend I heard numerous Mets fans calling local New York radio stations talking about how much their team making the playoffs means to them.  For fans of teams such as the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, and San Francisco Giants this reaction may seem ridiculous, but context is important when discussing baseball fans in the New York Metro area.

The first half of the 20^th century New York City was a hot bed of baseball with three Major League Baseball franchises in the city boroughs.   The New York Yankees (who at the beginning of the century were named the New York Highlanders because they use to play games at Hilltop Park in Manhattan) have resided in the Bronx since 1923.  Until the 1950’s two other teams played ball in New York City: the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers.  For three decades the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Upper side of Manhattan Burroughs were the home to 20 World Series Champions (most of those winners played in Yankee Stadium).  In fact, for the first half of century New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis, and Boston all were home to two or more baseball franchises.

But the 1950’s ushered in changed across the baseball landscape as teams began moving to new cities, among them being the Giants and Dodgers who both prospected the potential of moving to California.  The two long standing New York borough staples were losing attendance battles with the younger franchise located in the Bronx, the Yankees.  So the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles and the Giants moved to San Francisco after the 1957 season.  Their moves left many New York Metro region baseball fans heart broken and the National League with two less teams in the Northeast.

Before the 1950’s the National League had four teams in the Northeast; after 1957 they were down to only the Philadelphia Phillies as the Dodgers and Giants moved to California while the Braves left Boston to their new home in Milwaukee. 

New York baseball fans certainly were not going to cheer for rival cities Philadelphia or Boston and most National League baseball fans were not going to jump on the Yankees bandwagon.  With the help of powerful lawyer William Shea the New York Metropolitans became the new National League team in New York City.  The team that became known as the Mets paid homage to the teams that proceeded them by adopting Orange and Blue as part of their team colors.  The Mets began play in 1962, making their home in the old New York Giants ballpark, Upper Manhattan’s Polo Grounds.  Beginning in 1964 the Mets began play in another New York City Borough, Queens, where Shea Stadium was built for them.

While New York Metro region baseball fans were happy to have another baseball team in NYC to root for, they had to suffer through the growing pains of an upstart franchise.  From 1962-1968 the Mets were one of the worst baseball teams statistically for any stretch in MLB history.  These years would not be the last time the Mets were bottom dwellers of the National League.  Despite winning the World Series in 1969 and reaching another in 1973, the rest of the 1970’s was a difficult stretch for the team playing in Queens.  This trend would continue for the Mets franchise the next few decades as the Mets’ fans would see teams play great for short stretches, then fall back down the standings.  Meanwhile the Mets would continually be overshadowed by their cross-town counterparts in the Bronx.  The Yankees have won eight World Series championships since 1962.  Yes the New York Mets have won two World Series titles (1969, 1986) and reached the October Classic on two other occasions (1973, 2000) and they are still considered by many that “other team” in NYC.  Adding more insult to injury, since the Giants and Dodgers left town, those two franchises have combined to win eight championships in October. 

The reality of being a New York Mets fan is that your team is not a perennial playoff contender, despite all the talented players to wear the Mets uniform.  From Tom Seaver to Keith Hernandez to Dwight Gooden to Mike Piazza to David Wright, the Mets franchise is one that has tormented their fan base more often than most teams.  Looking back on the history of the Mets, the only consistent part of the franchise has been their tormented, but loyal, fan base.  I know the ballpark doesn’t always sell out, but the reality is that baseball game tickets in New York City are among the most expensive in all of Major League Baseball.  You can’t blame their fans for not wanting the dish out between 55-200 dollars per ticket for good seats to watch a team that hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2006.  In fact, baseball television ratings in New York Metro region is among the highest in the country.

I am not among the New York Mets cheering section, but I am happy for their fans that their team is making is back to postseason play.  I can also appreciate how any sports franchise with as much losing history as the Mets when their fans get so excited about making the playoffs.  But seriously, “Joey from Queens”, relax with the World Series championship’s prognostications, you still have to get to the October Classic before we discuss winning it.

Top 12 Players NOT in the Baseball Hall Of Fame

Both Chase Utley and David Ortiz have been in the news over the last few days, for different reasons; but what both men have in common is that they are considered “potential Hall of Famers”.  This connotation gets thrown around more often the actual baseball on the field. Who should or shouldn’t be in the Hall of Fame is a debate that fans, baseball writers, players and former player spend hours talking about 365 days a year!

So I decided to make my list of my top baseball players NOT in the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

In order to make my list, these players have to meet certain criteria:

-During their era, they were considered one of the best.

-Their statistics rival those in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

-Baseball Historians cannot tell the history of the game without them.

Now we also need to lay some ground rules:

-Player must have retired after 2008. As a result this list excludes  Jim Edmonds, Scott Rolen, Jeff Kent, Todd Helton, Roy Oswalt, Roy Halladay, Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, Andy Pettitte, and Lance Berkman to name a few.

-This list does not include any players implicated of using steroids (examples include Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa, Jose Canseco, Manny Ramirez); I will be making another list of players who have used steroids and others “banned by Major League Baseball” who I think should be in the Hall of Fame.

-This list does not factor in a player’s impact on a franchise or where they individually rank in that franchise history of great players.  Instead I factor in the players impact on Major League Baseball overall and how great they were during their playing career.  I also do not include players who were great for a few years.  As a result of these exclusions I did not include players such as Don Mattingly, Fred Lynn, Ron Guidry, Jim Fregosi, Curt Flood, Deion Sanders, and JR Richards.

So here is my list, the top 12 Baseball players not in the Hall of Fame:

1. Curt Schilling (1988-2007: Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox)

Statistical Highlights: 3,116 career strikeouts, 3,261 Innings Pitched, 11 Postseason wins.

Career Highlights: 8 seasons with at least 15 wins; 6-time All Star Selection; led league in complete games 4 times; 2001 World Series MVP; Career Postseason 2.23 ERA.

Reasoning: Curt Schilling is one of the top ten postseason pitchers in baseball history and one of the top ten strikeout pitchers of the last 25 years.  He had eight consecutive seasons (1996-2003) in which he threw a shutout each season as well as five different seasons he tallied a minimum 200 strikeouts.  He also led the league in complete games four different seasons and won a minimum of 50 games with three different franchises (Phillies, Diamondbacks, Red Sox).  And there’s the postseason stats: 11 wins in 19 starts, 2.23 ERA, 120 strikeouts over 133 innings pitched, along with two shutouts.

2. Jack Morris (1977-1994: Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Indians)

Statistical Highlights: 254 career wins, 3,824 Innings Pitched, 175 Complete Games

Career Highlights: Twelve seasons with at least 15 wins; 5-time All-star selection; Won 3 World Series titles as front of the rotation starting pitcher; 1991 World Series MVP

Reasoning: During his 18 year career, for twelve of those seasons he was considered one of the top starting pitchers in all of baseball.  While he never won a Cy Young award, Morris was a workhorse who would step up in big situations for his teams, especially in the postseason.  His career ERA (3.90) is actually higher than his postseason ERA (3.80); but it is those same statistics that have many voters keeping him out of the Hall of Fame.  Morris was one of the last pitchers who would stay on the mound for seven plus innings.  If he would have pitched in 2015 he would have a lower career ERA because he would not have been out there as many innings which would leave him less likely to be scored on in the later innings.  Morris should be judge on who he was in comparison to other pitchers during his playing career, not those who pitched decades before or after him.

3. Jeff Bagwell (1991-2005: Houston Astros)

Statistical Highlights: 449 Career Home Runs; 1,529 Career RBIs; Career .297 Batting Average.

Career Highlights: 10 seasons with at least 25 Home Runs; 4-time All Star selection; 1991 NL Rookie of the Year; 1994 NL MVP Award; 14 seasons with at least 80 RBIs .

Reasoning: During the “Steroid Era” in baseball, Bagwell was one of the overlooked power hitters who also hit for average.  The infamy of being the MVP of the 1994 strike shortened season aside, for an 11 year period Bagwell was one of baseball’s most feared hitters.  He had a minimum batting average of .300 during six of those seasons and had a minimum 100 RBIs during eight of those prime years.  Furthermore, Bagwell was also a guy who got on base and scored runs, leading the NL in runs scored three times (1994, 1999, and 2000).  The only explanation I have read or heard why Bagwell is not in the Hall of Fame is that some voters question if he used Performance Enhancing Drugs or not in his career. The fact that people do not vote for a player just because they suspect him without any proof is disingenuous and intellectually dishonest.

4. Edgar Martinez (1987-2004: Seattle Mariners)

Statistical Highlights: Career .312 Batting Average; 309 Career Home Runs; Career .418 On-base percentage.

Career Highlights: 8 seasons with at least 80 RBIs; 7-time All Star selection; 11 seasons with at least 140 base hits; Won AL Batting Title twice (1992, 1995).

Reasoning: Considered by many to be the great Designated Hitter in baseball history, it is because of Martinez’s lack of playing time in the field that has hindered many voters from putting him of their ballots each year.  The facts should not be ignored: aside from his impressive career statistics. For a seven year period Martinez was one of the top hitters in the American League (1995-2001).  In an era of gaudy power numbers, Martinez was a stalwart of consistency. A two time AL batting champion (1992, 1995), Edgar Martinez also lead the league in On base Percentage three times (1995, 1998, and 1999). He also had a minimum of 100 RBIs six times in his career.  Edgar Martinez is the ultimate definition of a “Professional Hitter”. He revolutionized how baseball executives and fans viewed the Designated Hitter, going from being a cover up for pitchers hitting to being a prime hitter position in the lineup.  

5. Mike Piazza (1992-2007: Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Oakland A’s)

Statistical Highlights: 427 Career Home Runs; Career .308 Batting Average; Career .545 Slugging Percentage.

Career Highlights: 10 seasons with at least 80 RBIs; 12-time All Star Selection; 9 seasons with at least 25 Home Runs; 8 seasons with at least 140 base hits.

Reasoning: Arguable the best all-around hitting catcher in baseball history, Piazza was a force in the National League for a 10 year period (1993-2002).  During that time he had six seasons with 100 plus RBIs, nine seasons with 30 plus home runs, and had a .300 or better batting average nine times.  Also for his career he hit 175 home runs and 560 RBIs with two different franchises (Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets).  Why is he not in the Hall of Fame already?  Just like Jeff Bagwell, there is “suspicion” of PED usage, but no evidence. 

6. Larry Walker (1989-2005: Montreal Expos, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals)

Statistical Highlights: 383 Career Home Runs; Career .313 Batting Average; Career .565 Slugging Percentage.

Career Highlights: 9 seasons with at least 80 RBIs; 5-time All Star Selection; 1997 NL MVP; Won 3 NL Batting Titles (1998, 1999, 2001); 8 seasons with at least 140 base hits; 7-time Gold Glove Award recipient .

Reasoning: Larry Walker is one of the most talented and athletic ball players of the last 30 years.  Walker was a great all-around player who put together five seasons in which he hit at least 25 Home Runs, 100 Runs Batted In, and a .300 batting average.  More than a great hitter, Walker was a great fielder and base runner; before age and injuries caught up to him, he compiled five seasons in which he had at least 15 stolen bases and 30 doubles.  Considered one of the most feared left-handed hitters of his era, Walker did not need the altitude of Coors Field in Denver, Colorado to be a great hitter. This is the major reason why many do not vote for him, thinking his statistics were “inflated”.  Any honest person who watched Walker play knows he did not need any help to have a great plate discipline and be a great baseball talent.

7. Dale Murphy (1976-1993: Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies)

Statistical Highlights: 398 Career Home Runs; Intentional Base on Balls 159 times.

Career Highlights: 10 seasons with at least 80 RBIs; 6-time All Star Selection; 1982 & 1983 NL MVP; 7 seasons with at least 25 Home Runs; 5-Time Golden Glove Award recipient .

Reasoning: During the 1980’s Dale Murphy was one of the best all-around players in all of baseball.  Aside from winning two MVP awards and five Gold Glove awards, from 1980 through 1990 he was a force to be reckoned with.  During that stretch he averaged 34 home runs, 92 RBIs, and led the league in those categories two different seasons.  During the 1980’s Murphy led the National League in in games played, at bats, runs scored, base hits, extra base hits, Runs Batted In, runs created, total bases, and plate appearances.  Statistically, he is one of the best players in the history of baseball not in the Hall of Fame.

8. Mike Mussina (1991-2008: Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees)

Statistical Highlights: 270 Career Wins; 3,562 Career Innings Pitched; 2,813 Career Strikeouts

Career Highlights: Eleven seasons with at least 15 wins; 5-time All Star selection; Eleven seasons with at least 200 innings pitched; 7-time Golden Glove Award recipient

Reasoning: Mike Mussina is one of the most undervalued, overlooked pitchers of the last 30 years and yet he was one of the most consistent pitchers for a career that spanned two decades.  Mussina’s first full season as a starting pitcher (1992) was almost the same statistically as his final season (2008): both seasons he pitched over 200 innings, had at least 18 wins, and finished in the top ten in ERA in the American League.  Mussina was one of the top fielding pitchers during his playing career and won over 120 games for two different franchises (Orioles and Yankees).  While he was never the most feared or dominant pitcher, he was the model of consistency and there are plenty of guys in the Hall of Fame with similar careers.

9. Harold Baines (1980-2001: Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, Oakland A’s, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians)

Statistical Highlights: 2,866 career base hits; 384 career Home Runs; 1,628 Career RBIs.

Career Highlights: 10 seasons with at least 80 RBIs; 6 time All Star selection; 10 seasons with at least 140 base hits.

Reasoning: As a sports geek, Harold Baines is one of those answers to sports trivia answers I always can lean back on.  In order to play in the major leagues for 22 years, you have to have the talent to be allowed to play for so long a time.  A career that touched three decades, Baines was an All Star during his 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. Thanks to the Designated Hitter position, Baines talents were allowed to be used for many years past his prime athletic years.  Baines hit at least 25 Home Runs and 100 RBIs in the same season at ages 25 and 40. Also he had minimum batting average of .300 eight times in his long career.  Coming up short of the 3,000 Hits Club by 134 base hits is nothing to sneeze at and Baines is ranked in top 45 in baseball history in the career hits category.

10. Albert Belle (1989-2000: Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles)

Statistical Highlights: 381 Career Home Runs; Career .295 Batting Average; Career .564 Slugging Percentage.

Career Highlights: 10 seasons with at least 80 RBIs; 5-time All Star selection; 9 seasons with at least 140 base hits; 9 seasons with at least 25 Home Runs.

Reasoning: While Belle’s career is the shortest of all the players on this list, he had a major impact when he did play.  One of the top hitters in the American League during the 1990’s, he led the league in Runs Batted In three times (1993, 1995, 1996) and drove in a minimum of 100 RBIs nine straight seasons (1992-2000).  Belle also finished his career with one of the highest slugging percentages in baseball history (.564, ranked 14^th all time) and when he led the AL in slugging percentage (1995, 1998) he also had a batting average over .315 both seasons.  Belle was one of the top hitters of the 1990’s but is overlooked by many because he retired in his early 30’s; no one knows what numbers he would have accumulated if he had played another few years.

11. Kevin Brown (1986-2005: Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, new York Yankees)

Statistical Highlights: 211 Career Wins; 3.28 Career ERA; 3,256 Career Innings Pitched.

Career Highlights: 6-time All Star Selection, 6 seasons with at least 15 wins, 6 seasons with an ERA less than 3.00, and 9 seasons with at least 200 innings pitched.

Reasoning: Kevin Brown is one of the few pitchers in baseball history who had his best years after the age of 29.  From the age 30 through 38 Brown was one of the most dynamic pitchers in baseball and led the National League twice in ERA (1996, 2000).  During his 20’s, Brown was known as a pitcher with a lot of talent but lacked the consistency to put great seasons back to back.  From 1996 to 2003 Brown dominated the National League while pitching for three different teams (Marlins, Dodgers, and Padres) with consecutive seasons and with at least 200 strikeouts, and 6 straight seasons with an ERA 3.00 or less.  Brown probably will not make it to the Hall of Fame due to the sporadic nature of his career, but any hitter who had to face him can attest to how difficult he was to face and how talented he was.

12. Tim Raines (1979-2002: Montreal Expos, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Oakland A’s, Baltimore Orioles, Florida Marlins)

Statistical Highlights: 808 Stolen Bases; 2,605 Career Hits; 1,571 Runs Scored.

Career Highlights: 10 seasons with at least 140 base hits; 7-time All Star Selection; 8 seasons with at least 50 stolen bases.

Reasoning: During the 1980’s and early 1990’s Rickey Henderson was the dominant leadoff hitter in baseball.  Tim Raines is overlooked because he was the 2nd best leadoff hitter. From 1981 through 1992 he stole a minimum of 40 bases 11 times and 9 times had at least 140 base hits.  Also Raines scored a minimum of 100 runs six times.  As age caught up to Raines in the 1990’s he became a more disciplined hitter, having at least a .290 batting average four times while reaching base on balls an average of 50 times per season.

Honorable Mentions:  Fred McGriff, Joe Carter, Gil Hodges, Orel Hershiser, David Cone, Andreas Galarraga, and Dennis Martinez

The Catholic 7, Mark Teixeira, & Darrell Revis: Sports Quick Hits for 3-6-13

As I write this blog post, the winds sound bad outside but I still have power and I am safe, thank God!  So, lets distract ourselves from the miserable weather of the northeast and talk some sports.

The "Catholic Seven" Get Even

While it is not official, the break up of the conference known as the Big East has crossed its biggest hurdle: money.  While the Big East was trying to keep up with the changing college sports landscape by adding more high profile football schools it was neglecting the historic roots of its basketball members.  With schools such as Syracuse, Rutgers, Norte Dame, and Pittsburgh leaving for "greener pastures" the Big East's "answer" to this was to replace these staples of the Big East with schools such as Temple, Navy, Memphis and Houston.  While all of these schools coming into the Big East have solid athletic programs, this really hurt the conference in their negotiations for a new TV contract.  Getting left out in the cold were the schools known as "The Catholic Seven".  Georgetown, St. John's, Villanova, Seton Hall, Providence, Marquette and DePaul are well known for their basketball tradition and basketball is the major financial athletic programs at those schools, not football.  So these seven universities have set the ground work to leave and create their own athletic conference.  But here's the kicker: its going to be called the "Big East" and they get to play their conference tournament at Madison Square Garden.  Also, these seven schools get to keep all money generated by their athletic programs for receiving bids to the NCAA tournament.

To all of this I say, good for them!  While college football is a major money maker for numerous universities, to neglect other schools in a conference for the sake of football and tv money is poor management by the Big East.  So now the "Catholic 7" get to keep the rights to the name of the Big East and keep the "basketball mecca" in New York City as their conference tournament home as a consolation prize.  Of course, the "left over" schools are going to make out well too.  Cincinnati, South Florida and Connecticut will receive a large portion of the exit fees being paid by the colleges leaving the Big East. 

So keep all of this in mind the next time you hear a politician or university president talk about how "this is about the kids" because we all know, its really about the money!

Mark Teixeira has a wrist injury, again

As a former high school athlete who suffered a serious wrist injury, I can understand what Mark Teixeira is going through.  He had to pull out of the World Baseball Classic after he injured his wrist during a batting practice session.  While reports claim he will miss 8 to 10 weeks, even when he is healthy again he has to get his swing back. 

Teixeira's wrist injury will probably haunt him for the rest of his career.  I played baseball in high school and some in college.  With a past wrist injury it will always affect your swing.  The speed of a baseball swing is in the wrist, all great hitters preach this in books and baseball camps.  For a really good hitter like Mark this will be a problem cause if his wrist does not heal or he does not rehab properly it will hamper his ability to hit for average.  I specifically focus on his average cause for his career Teixeira was a .302 career hitter before the last two seasons.  In 2011 and 2012 he had a batting average of .248 and .251.  This is a major drop off.  His power wont drop as much because the base of a hitters power is in the torque produced by his hips and the strength in his shoulders to generate the inertia.  The more torque and inertia is generated through a hitter's bat when he makes contact will determine how hard the ball is hit and how far it could potentially travel.

I know from personal experience that a wrist injury can forever affect one as a hitter.  While as a kid in little league I was a good hitter.  But after my wrist injury at 14 years old my swing was never the same.  When I made good contact I was able to generate some good hits and some power.  But my wrist was never the same in maintaining balance for an even swing through the zone.  I hope for Mark Teixeira's sake he is able to recover from this injury because he still has the potential for atleast a few really good seasons.  Only time will tell how much his wrist problems will hold him back.

Makes the Yankees wonder about their 100 plus million dollar investment in a few offseasons ago.

Darrelle Revis and his football future

Recovering from a major injury is always a fight uphill for any athlete.  But Darrelle Revis has more to worry about than just his rehab: where will he play next season?  The New York Jets have said all the right things in public, but behind the scenes they are shopping their Pro Bowl star.  Revis, who is considered one of the top Cornerbacks in football, is available to the highest bidder.  The Buccaneers have the cap room and the need for a top notch cornerback.  Some think he may end up with the 49ers because San Francisco has a plethora of draft picks to make a major offer..  There is also speculation that the Falcons would want to aquire Revis since they released Dunta Robinson and they need another ball-hawk in their defense secondary opposite of Asante Samuel.  The possibility for a Revis-For-Dummervil deal is a popular rumor and would work without either the Jets or Broncos under the salary cap.

But a bigger question for Revis is how will he perform in a new enviroment.  He has been a Jet his whole career and has played for defensive minded head coaches such as Rex Ryan and Eric Mangini.  Where ever Revis ends up people should lower their expectations for him because aside from coming off a major injury, he will need time to adjust to his new teammates, new defensive scheme, and a new football enviroment.  While I have no doubt Revis has the drive, work ethic and talent to excel with any NFL team, he may need some time to adjust.  The 2013 season may not be the best for Darrelle Revis, but expect him to bounce back and have a great 2014 season for sure, just to prove to his peers and competition he still has what it takes to be the best cornerback in the NFL.

Red Sox build the Blue-Collar Gang for domination

Boston Red Sox's General Manager Theo Epstein is a man with a plan and that plan is looking great. The signing of outfielder Carl Crawford to a 7 year, 142 million dollar deal is just another sign of the type of team the Red Sox are building: a team of hard working, tough minded, good attitude ball players. The additions of Crawford last night along with the acquisition of first baseman Adrian Gonzalez shows a change in direction from the model most baseball teams use to build a dynasty.

Yes, I used the word dynasty because you are looking at a team with five all-star caliber on their roster under the age of 30. Second baseman Dustin Pedroia, Gonzalez, Crawford, and Pitchers Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz are all excellent players who have not fully reached their full potential yet. And one would be mistaken to forget that Pitchers Josh Beckett and Jonathan Papelbon along with third/first baseman Kevin Youkilis are in their early 30's. This team has so much talent from top to bottom yet Epstein still plans to add another pitcher and maybe a catcher as well.

The unique element that will make this team so successful is the element that all of the above players have in common, which is the hard working, professional attitude that each player brings to their craft. Being team oriented players who do not have lots of baggage or any real off field issues or drama to speak of is something any professional team would love to have. These guys want to win and will do whatever it takes to get there. They will put in the work to make themselves the cream of the crop in the American League as individuals and as a team.

This is all apart of Theo Epstein's vision for the team. While some teams will overspend for the big names and others want to develop talent through their farm system then trade some talent for big time stars, the Red Sox have assembled a specific type of talented players. You look at the Yankees, they have superstar players making rediculous amounts of money. The Phillies have built their core of superstar players through either their farm system or strategic transactons. Teams like the Rangers, Giants, Rockies, Cardinals, White Sox and Twins have rosters that are a mix of all star level talent with overachievers that other teams have unloaded.

But the Red Sox have assembled a roster with all star level players who have a blue collar work ethic. These guys work all year round to get better and do not let the grind of a 162 game season get to them. Also these players are not a bunch of inflated egos looking to be adulated. Epstein built the team of free spirit personalities for 2004 World Series run then a team of stars for the title in 2007. But there were side effects with each of those teams. Guys from the 2004 team like Derek Lowe, Johnny Damon, Bronson Arroyo, and Pedro Martinez left to cash in free agency. On the other hand, age caught up with players like Mike Lowell, J.D. Drew, Curt Schilling, and Jason Varitek from the 2007 team. Also, baseball fans cannot forget the drama that led to the Red Sox unloading Manny Ramierez.

This new strategy by Epstein is to get hard working, talented players as they are entering into the prime of their careers. Look around at other teams in the American League in comparison with the Red Sox. The Yankees' superstars aren't getting any younger. The Tampa Rays are loosing their young talent because they cannot afford to keep them. The Rangers' potential revolves around their need for top line starting pitching and bullpen help. The Twins seem to be unable to get over the hump and it appears luck is not on their side. Teams like the White Sox and Angels have talent but are lacking in some areas. The Red Sox have positioned themselves to become the head of the class in the American League with the well rounded roster they are compiling and Theo Epstein is still not done adding to the arsenal. It looks like the Red Sox are assembling another winner; not bad for a franchise that went 86 years without a Championship before Theo Epstein came along.